Friday morning at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina, was marked by fast action and fierce competition among teams battling to advance to the 10U Futures Invitational Semifinals. Wrapping up pool play with an 8-game slate saw teams grinding till the last out, eager to compete in bracket play tomorrow. Catch up on all the action from Friday’s games at the 10U Futures Invitational.

Knights Knation 13, Top Tier 2

Totaling an impressive 14-hit performance, Knights Knation ran away early on with a seven-run first inning. Solidifying their performance with some stellar pitching, starter Jaxon Leist worked four scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit while punching out five. The offense was stacked all around with five different players each having multi-hit games, led by Hunter Hamrick going 3-for-3 with two extra-base hits, including a two-RBI triple. Roberto Gutierrez led the team in RBIs with three, leading Knights Knation to an impressive win and a spot in the semifinals.

Original Florida Pokers of Parkland 10, ZT Prospects National 9

In what ultimately felt like the game of the day at Thomas Brooks Park, the Original Florida Pokers of Parkland worked a seven-run third inning, taking the momentum in loud fashion. With two outs in the top of the fourth, the Pokers stole home in a tied ball game, sending Jonathan Pierre home, where he was called safe to take the lead. Pierre also would have a big day at the plate, recording two triples as well as scoring the game-winning run. Tied for the team lead in RBIs, Cannon Allen went 2-for-3, picking up two stolen bases; also pitching two shutout innings, allowing no hits to secure the Pokers the win and a spot in the semifinals.

Scottsdale Dirtbags 5, Vault Boys National 2

In a game that needed extra innings to find a winner, the Scottsdale Dirtbags scratched across three runs during the top of the seventh, securing a win. Getting a great outing from their starting pitcher Noah Kirk, who worked five innings of two-run baseball with three strikeouts, handed the ball off to Ahdan Ontiveros. Pitching the rest of the game for the Dirtbags, Ontiveros went two innings of no-hit and no-run baseball that secured the Dirtbags the win. Driving in two of the three runs in the seventh, Mathias Solis hammered a bases-clearing triple down the left field line, his second hit of the game. Everett Van Bogaert drove home the final run of the game with an RBI groundout, and a scoreless frame from Ontiveros closed out the 5-2 win, securing the Dirtbags a semifinals berth.

TBT Ballers SoCal 10, West Raleigh 2

With a complete game performance from their starting pitcher, TBT Ballers SoCal executed when it mattered, picking up a 10-2 win. Leading the team in RBIs, Mattix Edwards went 1-for-4, scoring two runs from his first-inning triple to get things started. Luke Erickson was dominant on the mound, going a complete game of two-run ball for TBT Ballers SoCal. Multi-hit games from Jayden Agee and Mason Giffis helped lead the team to a 10-run performance on 10 total hits from the offense. With the win today, the TBT Ballers SoCal secured their spot in the semifinals.

Memphis Tigers 12, Perfect Performance Outlaws 5

After being outhit 11 to six, the Memphis Tigers were able to put up 12 runs and outlast the Perfect Performance Outlaws. Titus Watson led the Tigers with a big day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two stolen bases. The Perfect Performance Outlaws fought hard to stay in the game, led by Max Krevit’s 2-for-3 day at the plate, picking up two RBIs. Ultimately, the Tigers bullpen got the job done with a combined two innings of work from Grayson Stephney and Beckham Natola; the bullpen only gave up one run and maintained the lead.

DG29 Baseball Academy 6, New Level National 0

Carried by a 5.2 inning performance from starter Samir Galindo, DG29 Baseball Academy was able to shut out New Level National. Galdino, while only giving up one hit on the day, was also able to rack up five strikeouts in his impressive performance. Going 2-for-3 at the plate and picking up an RBI triple, Byron O. found his groove at the plate as one of two players picking up two hits today. Being able to spread out production was critical as five of the six runs scored were driven in by five different players, securing the 6-0 victory for DG29 Baseball Academy.

Tennessee Elite 8, Ghost National 4

Outscoring Ghost National 7-0 in the first two innings of the game, Tennessee Elite coasted their way to an 8-4 win. Logan A. picked up the final two RBIs of the first inning, hitting an inside-the-park home run that gave them an early 4-0 lead. Keeping the lead on the mound was starter Aiden F., going 3.2 innings, giving up one hit and one earned run with a pair of strikeouts. Finishing the game for Tennessee Elite, going 2.1 innings, Hudson Y. recorded five of his seven outs with strikeouts. That didn’t stop Ghost National from fighting back. Putting up a three-run fifth inning led by Robbie Cerciello’s two-RBI single. Tennessee Elite held strong and closed out the game with a flyout to right field.

Stacked Baseball 13, Jersey Storm 3

A great day from the offense was met by a great day from the pitching staff for Stacked Baseball, picking up a 13-3 win. Getting four innings of work from Ollie Arvesen, only giving up one earned run, the bullpen was phenomenal as well. With two innings in relief from Noa de la Torre and Shun Shiraiwa giving up two runs, the bats kept the game out of reach for Jersey Storm. The offense was led by Lennox Cort and Jack Williams, both recording multi-hit and multi-RBI games. Scoring 10 of their 13 runs in the fifth and sixth, put the game out of reach.